I went in the restaurant to request support for our organization, Hearts & Homes for Youth. I was ready to deliver my elevator speech. I asked the manager if his restaurant supported events and nonprofits. As I was about to begin my pitch, I was interrupted and left speechless.

Hearts & Homes for Youth moved our annual fundraiser golf tournament (Girls on the Green) to Howard County, Maryland this year as part of an effort to expand our network. Recently I have been visiting local businesses, boutiques, and offices to introduce our organization and our event, to generate support and enthusiasm. It is a charity golf tournament just for women and we are an organization that helps troubled, victimized youth by providing residential and supportive services in a stable, disciplined, nurturing homelike environment, to help the youth get back on their feet and become independent, productive adults. It is a mouthful but our work is straightforward so it is an easy speech to deliver.

On this evening, I was picking up food I had ordered from a restaurant that I frequently dine at in Howard County. I was about to tell the manager about Hearts & Homes for Youth, Girls on the Green, and the benefits of giving us his support when he stopped me – before I had even told him my name – and said, “you trust me, I trust you. We will support your event.”

He volunteered to support our event and organization with blind faith in my request. He did not ask me to tell him about the youth we serve nor what we do with the funds we raise – all he heard was me asking for his support. He asked for it to be a quiet donation, explaining that he and his wife support different causes regularly and they prefer discretion.

The selflessness of this man and his wife who willingly support their community at large, anonymously, is humbling, inspiring, and a reminder of how good people are and can be.